My Mental Hospital Experience

I was placed in a mental hospital days after the breakdown. Stripped of bra wires, cell phone, pant strings, hair bands and all belongings, I felt as though I was a criminal. My crime was having bipolar II disorder.

I was not allowed to have any contact with my family or friends for the first five days at the hospital. I felt like I was being punished for being sick. I was taken to group therapy sedated and scared. I was prepared to be greeted by monsters. To my surprise, I was greeted by angels. I immediately received a warm hug from a fellow patient, cradling me as I wept. I did not feel alone anymore.

From 7 am to 9 pm, my fellow comrades and I spent every minute together. We laughed, we cried and we shared stories of pain and hope. We ranged in age from 13 to 70 years old, from all different backgrounds. Some were rich. Some were poor. It did not matter, we were all equals the minute we stepped into that psychiatric hospital.

I was there for over two weeks before a team of medical professionals felt I could be released into the care of my mother and father. I left with a diagnosis of bipolar II and an unforgettable experience that changed my outlook on life.

Every person has a different experience in a mental hospital. My experience was good, based on the people I was surrounded by. However, this is not the situation for everyone.

Before my admission, the stigma of mental illness led me to believe that patients in mental hospitals were monsters. This is far from the truth. The monsters are the ones on the outside of the white walls who outcast those struggling with a mental health condition.

In the comments, I hope you'll share your thoughts and experiences about being in a mental hospital. They're valuable for everyone. And if you think this video is helpful, I hope you'll consider giving it a thumbs up. Thank you. Hannah
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Hannah posts every Monday morning on the HealthyPlace YouTube channel.

[BrentonGandyE]

I've been to a mental hospital 3 times (twice for being off my meds, never again) and each time I was there I've met people just like me. We had group therapy together. We encouraged each other. Some of us even watched movies together. We are not what society makes us out to be.

[dlt]

Thank you for shedding light on the “stigma” that others characterize as a monster, someone who needs help or just someone they’d otherwise avoid because they don’t understand.

I have High-Functioning Anxiety but was misdiagnosed and treated as if I had depression.

I spent 6 days in a hell on earth facility at an undisclosed location in Houston, TX (where I’m from).

My experience was absolute torture. They took my blood at “wake up” every morning at 4 am to see if I had somehow taken drugs overnight. I had an allergic reaction to a drug they administered upon my admittance that caused me to go into a full seizure on day 1, nearly killing me.

It’s been 5 years since that hell, but the experiences are still very much real to me.

When I was properly diagnosed a few months later, life changed for the better after learning how to manage my anxiety.

You’re very right though, the people I came across were people just like me, not monsters.

Thank you for your videos.

[darrelltinsley]

I just recently spent 6 days in a mental hospital in upstate South Carolina I am so thankful for everyone there were so helpful although I was pretty agitated the first day but they gave me lithium and it seems to be helping emotional side of my bipolar 1 and my PTSD. I know that I will have episodes but I am going to try my best Thaxs for sharing your experience with us.

[BrigitteBell]

Can totally relate to every part of your story, especially what you said about feeling like you were being punished for being sick. My mental hospital experience was not much of a pleasant one either, and I always told my family "if you aren't depressed before going to one, you will be after!" Something I hope and wish will definitely change in the future. We need rainbows on the walls of those places! Lol! Thank you for sharing your story, being so candid, and helping to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. Much love!

[timd]

Hi Hannah. I like your videos. I been in and out of hospitals for depression and other mental illnesses since I was 13 years old. While I never liked going in one myself. They have saved my life.

[mandyworldwide]

this is amazing, the most accurate and relatable video i've seen on this topic! thanks so much for sharing

[burgerfc]

The one thing that shocked me every time is the amount of teenagers who are suffering from mental illness. It's one thing to talk about it and it is another to witness it.

[iamfree]

My experience was terrible they were giving me meds i wasnt perscribed i had my new clothes stolen from me. I was never diagnosed with anything. I had another mental breakdown a couple days after getting out. It was a living hell and i pray to god to try to never be crazy again.

[brittanyhughes]

Very true especially about meeting others all types of people you end up caring for so much. Those people in group really helped me.

[thenightstalker]

Thank you Luna, you were my guiding light this whole time. Thank you. Being attached to evil gods who I didn't feel connected to anymore has been causing scary things to you. And I never realized that. Please forgive me

[speakyourheart]

The monsters are often the people who work in them. I visited a friend for a long time in there and what I experienced was harrowing. It draws in people who enjoy control. Anytime people disagree or express themselves medication was forced onto them. I saw these people come in, bright creative people and you watch how the life is taken from them. To see it broke my heart so I started to help. Showed them laughter, light, touch, love. People started to heal. You see you can touch a person and take their pain because you know love but to psychiatry love is an illness so they don't give the medication that works. People started to change because you look and them and see them, truly see them. But what happened when people suddenly started to heal after years of psychiatric began to hate me. because suddenly doctors start to see they can never look at a human in the eyes and know them. I finally got my friend out of there and within a week or so he was free within himself but I knew if he had stayed he would have killed himself. Instead of psychiatry saying wow we harmed him they would have said.. that's what happens with mental illness. I know this story might not be what you would like to hear. But I saw a very different side to it

[ericarunningwildspirit]

I was in state's care when I was young. I was taken away from my adopted family and biological mother.
I was very sick. Was rebellious and reckless. Never thinking before doing.
I was diagnosed with bipolar at 16 years old. I continued the reckless behavior. They didn't have me on the right meds. They had me on depression medication only.
It wasn't till now, that I am finally getting it right at 35 years old. I finally found a psychologist that knows what he is doing!
After years of severe abuse, by multiple people, starting when I was just a wee child.
I battle with it everyday of my life.
Bipolar 1 disorder is not the only mental illness I have. But a light finally turns on, after years of erratic behavior. It hit me, I have been having these episodes, since I was a little girl, followed with other illnesses.

[god]

You come across in this video as very confident, strong and assertive woman. It shows you have come a long way since then and I wish you best in your journey of recovery.

[justmadeit]

I was in one for 3 weeks a month or so ago. In there voluntarily here in England. Was there because of severe depression. I’m out and still pretty much the same. It’s terrifying to feel like this

[funknowhereman]

I was in hospital just over two years ago now. It was a positive Experience for the most part. I'd go back for a mental vacation if needed be.

[pamelam]

I'm bipolar 2 and I had a breakdown about a month ago and stayed at a treatment center for 4 nights. I loved the group therapy because I could speak openly about my illness without being judged. Majority of the people had depression, anxiety or bipolar. There was also people with addictions.

I was upset one evening because one person had psychosis and she kept swearing and shouting on the phone. None of the staff tried to stop her. The lady was eventually kicked out because she threw the phone. I did let the staff know that I and others were upset and couldn't understand why they couldn't control her.

[mortdawg]

Preach. I made it to prom but wanted to die on the way. I thought it would be so tragic and maybe people would listen to me if I showed up dead in someone's arms just as they announced I won prom queen. I was upset because my friends ditched me last minute, there was no room left in their limo. I drove by myself, and then I didn't have a date, my boyfriend was in India and wouldn't let me go with a friend, I felt lonely, uncared for, unheard, powerless. Thank God I didn't listen to the lies . Death would've silenced me, not given me a voice. Now we have a voice, keep sharing your story

[stryker]

thank you for this video. I'm a step parent of a child that has been trying to hard to keep happy and healthy and recently she started sinking. her dad and I are with her every step of the way fighting to help her with her journey. she is currently in a mental hospital. I wish her past would stay in the past and we can move forward but we need to help her heal from the things she has been through and channel her behaviors to a more positive out let.

[lisashawe]

Absolutely spot on Hannah. I am so glad you have this channel. You did it. You left that hospital and now here you are inspiring me and others. I have been to about 8 or 9 hospitals.. The first hospitalization was for 3 mos. Another was a mos. Some for 2 wks. My last hospitalization was 13 yrs ago. Many people would not understand what hospitalization is. I read something ... it said that you cannot explain what your mental illness feels like... similar to like you cannot explain what getting high feels like if you never smoked weed. Anyway.., .Hospitals can be scary and sometimes fun..arts and group therapy. Being REAL. I liked being part of something that I could relate to. A larger community of people like me ... with extraordinary stories and some very deep pain, . Coming out is the hard part because the meds have to change back to normal dosages and that takes time.
It IS sad to have to take meds. This is very hard to do and most regular people have no idea how hard these substances are on our bodies.
Anyway..we do what we need to do and find purpose. I have a wonderful husband and a good life.
You are a wonderful advocate Hannah. That was a beautiful story about your roommate. And you are doing this now. So helpful.
Take care.
Lisa

[RocketManF]

Hannah I've been to many hospitals both on the public and private level and then on the state level for over four years. I've been out for four years now and am successfully going on with my life. I speak at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital where I was a patient and I'm active in supporting the friends I've made there.